Get Published …Today! Workshop
It is the greatest time in history to be a writer. The barrier to publishing has been torn down and now anyone can get published. But to get published successfully is a whole other matter. We will take you through the entire publishing process. This step-by-step, soups-to-nuts workshop will remove the smoke and mirrors from the murky world of publishing and give writers a compass and map to a successfully published book. Topics covered include:
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Choosing the right idea
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Crafting an attention-getting pitch
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Finding the right agent/publisher
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Self-publishing effectively without getting ripped off
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Finding your audience and building a following through social media.
The workshop will take place via Zoom. A registration link will be sent via email.
Proceeds from this workshop benefit Succeed2gether, a Montclair-based non-profit 501(c) organization that addresses unequal access to educational resources for low-income families and children from Montclair and Essex County, NJ. A portion of each $25 workshop ticket is donated to Succeed2gether.
Sign up for Get Published …Today! at Succeed2gether.
Beat The Stay-At-Home Blues Webinar
Ask us any question about publishing in this free one-hour workshop. Make the most of your time at home and get your work ready to get out into the world!
UPDATE: Click here to view the recording of this webinar.
Join us
Click this link to view the webinar live on YouTube and ask us anything.
Ask questions
Sign in using a YouTube/Google account to chat with us and ask questions.
Tech trouble?
If you have any trouble, email our web guru at kristi@thebookdoctors.com.
Beat The Stay-At-Home Blues Webinar
March 19, 2020
8PM EDT / 5PM PDT
The Pitchapalooza Experience: Testimonials from the Trenches
Here are just some of the testimonials we’ve gotten from Pitchapalooza. We’ve loved every second of it. Thanks America!
I am still resonating from the experience. — Larry Kirshbaum
I just wanted to drop you both a quick note to tell you how much I enjoyed the event last night. You two are incredible! I learned so much and just thought it was tremendous.
I’m so glad I could be there and meet you in-person, as well. Thank you again, so much, for extending this awesome event to our participants and including us in such a smart, beneficial, and fun project. You’re stars! — Lindsey Grant, NaNoWriMo Program Director
I wanted to thank you for a very inspiring afternoon at Kepler’s. Thanks for showing me the different components of a perfect pitch. I’ve done tons of query letter writing in my years as a freelancer but this one-minute pitch was daunting. But I told myself that the point was to go and have a good time and that’s what I did. — Kalpana Mohan, Pitchapalooza winner, Kepler’s
I wasn’t sure what to expect when went to Kepler’s last Sunday, but I thought the Pitchapalooza was amazing, and I hope to attend another one or one of your workshops in the future. The positive energy combined with the constructive feedback helped me feel energized and ready to continue working towards polishing my craft. I have a page full of notes from the Pitchapalooza and will continue to consult them as I write new query letters and pitches. Thank you for putting together such an amazing event and resource. I’m looking forward to speaking with you. — Jessica Bayliss
Pitchapalooza is a great concept. Fledgling authors get the opportunity to pitch their ideas to a panel of literary experts who provide instant feedback. Not only was Pitchapalooza entertaining–some “pitchers” are funny and have great senses of humor–but participants get a chance to meet “neighbors” and discuss their book ideas with them as well. All in all, Pitchapalooza is a wonderful opportunity for average folks to learn if their book ideas have merit. — Murray Sabrin
Thank you for your appearance at Kepler’s a few weeks ago. I chickened out of pitching my book-in-progress but I learned so much from the experience and met some other wonderful fellow writers. — Samantha Rajaram
I LOVED it! I spent six months and paid $1,000 to get a fraction of the publishing wisdom you dished out in a few hours for 17 bucks. Beyond entertaining! Arielle and David were charming, hilarious and wise. You had fun, so we had fun. I learned something from every pitch and every panel response, even though you didn’t call my number. And … you softened the blow for those of us who didn’t pitch with your surprise announcement that we’d ALL get a chance to have you weigh in on our proposals … for FREE! Thrilling! I loved the energy in the room — yours and my fellow authors’. You captured the, “American Idol for Aspiring Authors,” vibe I had read about… I appreciated the clearly communicated, fast-paced, tightly enforced format. I appreciated how thoughtfully you assembled your panel; panelists brought insights from vast but varied experience… You and the panelists didn’t pull punches, but no one left with a “black eye” from too-brutal feedback. I considered it a fantastic event… — Kelly Standing
Pitchapalooza made my book go from the realm of the desirable to that of the possible. It was exciting to see so many other people wrestling with many of the same issues that I’m confronting, and getting to pitch my book forced me to confront this one obvious fact: yes, I can do it. And not only can I do it, but I should, and now. So, the experience inspired me. Thanks, Book Doctors! — Nathan
The enthusiasm of David and Arielle, from the beginning and throughout the event, was contagious. They did an amazing job at setting everyone’s nervous minds at ease immediately. I felt a definite camaraderie with the others “pitchers” as each stood bravely to try their hand at their one minute pitch. The genuine, attentive and thorough feedback from the panel was impressive. I took a few pages of notes from the critiques given and I learned something from each pitch and comment. The 17-second-recited-in-unison pitch by David and Arielle was entertaining. — Michele Dutcher
Pitchapalooza was highly entertaining and as nerve-wracking as the thunderstorm going on outside the tent as I waited to see if my name would be called. I learned a lot. It was my first experience with doing a pitch and it was incredibly helpful to listen to the specific feedback everyone was given…including feedback given to me. — Bev Smith
Since civilization began, we’ve been climbing the walls to get our stories told. This husband and wife team rocks the Kasbah! Arielle and David have turned today’s science of book publishing on its head by teaching us the art of enjoying the ride. They delete the daunting and magnify the doable, so that everyone wins. .How did they manage to write a whole Bible yet have it be such a fun read? By quantum leaps, The Essential Guide to Getting your Book Published inspires me forward and grows more valuable every day. — PM Kearns
Pitchapalooza is the most fun I’ve ever had in a bookstore. The two of you work together like a comedy team, and your advice is succinct, insightful, and encouraging. I left Pitchapalooza with an autographed copy of your new book (definitely worth buying for the new information) and with concrete ideas on how to improve my pitch and market my book. Thank you again for sharing your time and talent. — Lee Wilson
The Pitchapalooza was GREAT!! I was very entertained. It was a first time experience for me as I am quite new to the writing and publishing world. The process was interesting and impressive. I enjoyed first the positive, encouraging manner that you all began with leading into the needs or more accolades. And of course many of the pitches were amazing. — Regena Walters
Thank you so much for the highly entertaining and informative pitch session at the Northvale book store this afternoon. Your feedback on my very rough pitch about raising a child with autism was invaluable. — Laura McKenna
I thoroughly enjoyed attending your Pitchapalooza, even though I was nervously anticipating my turn to pitch. The event was entertaining as many of the authors were gifted performers and all of them were passionate about their work. One of the authors even argued with the judges which gave it an American Idol flavor. Your panel of judges was very knowledgeable and had a wide variety of expertise which they passed along and which I found invaluable. I hope you make this an annual event! — Kristin Oakley
I had the pleasure of hearing you both at the DIY Author’s Conference luncheon yesterday. The Pitchapalooza later that afternoon was great fun and very informative. — Bobbi Hahn
I loved your book. I read it over a couple of day’s time and learned a lot from it. As far as the pitchapalooza went, its been very useful because not only did I learn how to do a pitch but also how NOT to do it. Confidence is a big factor in pitching. Knowing your pitch upside down, inside out and backwards is a MUST and NOT giving away too much of the plot seems to be the smarter way to go. — Renee Gibbons
I enjoyed the event; it was interesting to hear what other writers are working on. Plus, to get the mesh of the writer’s personality with their ideas was entertaining. Usually you only get the words on paper, no actual personality of the writer before you. Evaluating a “pitch” is far different than evaluating the actual work. However, in this harried world, poor authors probably only get a minute for consideration — or not. So perfecting the pitch is a necessity. — Liz Gruder
I wanted to personally thank you for putting on the PitchaPalooza for books. It was a last minute Daddy-Daughter gig for us. Katie listened intently to the 20 pitches prior to hers and took in the advice you gave. You both inspired her to finish her manuscript. Again, thanks for writing your book and holding your seminars. The ripple effect of your genuine enthusiasm for the written word coupled with an “honorable mention” in your contest lifted the wings of a budding ten year old blond author. — Allan Mishra
I attended the Pitchapalooza this past week and loved it (despite the fact that I didn’t actually get to pitch!) Listening to all of the writers, and the panel’s incredible feedback, was worth the cost of babysitting. Warm regards. — Deb Levy
Pitchapaolooza was fantabulous—full of theater, zany humor and most of all the insightful tips from The Experts: David, Arielle and their stable of experienced agents. The book itself is extremely well written and so packed full of vital information that, I found, it has to be read and digested over several weeks time. For the writer with chops, The Essential Guide is a blueprint for success. — Peter Hensel
Pitchapalooza was so much fun! It truly proved everyone has a story to tell. I learned a lot and came away with several gold nuggets of useful information. — Robert Skead
I really enjoyed your seminar and I am really enjoying your book! What I liked about it was you all gave really good, valuable feedback that all of the attendees could use on their own pitch. So even though I didn’t get to pitch, I feel like my pitch is now 100 times more powerful! — Anthony Fasano
I was not selected to pitch at the Kansas City Pitchapalooza, but I still found it an entertaining and enlightening experience. Attending Pitchapalooza helped me conclude that my hundreds of hours of work and late nights were worthwhile and now I am working towards presenting my ideas to others. — Courtney Privett
Your Pitchapalooza innovation is such a heartening service for the literary future. You are inspirng the birth of what has been feared to be an endangered species, the published author. — Ann Rasmussen
I thought Pitchapalooza was a very unique approach to getting people energized about writing and publishing their book. The selling of the event as an American Idol for writers was a great way to describe the experience. It was entertaining but also frightening for those of us who either weren’t expecting to get up in front of such a large crowd. Another positive was getting accessibility to both of you who are willing to give honest feedback. — Andre Logan
Thank you, thank you, thank you! You folks are a traveling feast! What a simmering soup of ideas you served up for aspiring authors. Especially refreshing were the humor, empathy and the kindness of your comments. How deftly you kept the mood inviting and comfortable for all. Thank you for sharing your talents with us. I am lovin’ every page ofThe Essential Guide to Getting Your Book Published! — Patty Kearn, OK
You provided a lot of positive yet helpful critiques. I think it is a great opportunity for a new writer to get direct feedback and an opportunity to work with an agent, which in my case is the most difficult part. The event was certainly entertaining, and if I had the opportunity to attend again, I most certainly would. — Glenn Snyder
The Pitchapalooza was absolutely wonderful. I loved listening to other people pitch their books, and while your advice was specific to each pitch, it was very applicable to every aspiring author. I learned a lot just by listening to what you guys had to say. My only complaint is that it went by so quickly! Thanks so much. — Rebecca Coppage
I really enjoyed Pitchapalooza. It gave me some insight to things that I would not have otherwise thought about regarding my own book and my pitch. It was entertaining and informative. — Scott McCulloch
I thoroughly enjoyed myself and learned a lot. It was a wonderful event. — Kristin Oakley
Pitchapalooza was part lecture hall, part rock concert. — Lonita Cook
The Book Doctors & Erma Bombeck Writing Conference in the News
To read online click here.
A magical moment happens when a writer takes a deep breath and launches into a passionate one-minute elevator pitch of a book concept before hundreds of other would-be authors.
“It’s very touching,” says literary agent Arielle Eckstut about the emotion-charged atmosphere at Pitchapalooza. “These writers are wearing their hearts on their sleeves.”
Adds her writer-husband David Henry Sterry: “This is the first time some have said in public, ‘I’m a writer.'”
At the April 10-12 Erma Bombeck Writers’ Workshop at the University of Dayton, 20 randomly selected writers will get the opportunity to make a one-minute pitch — and perhaps write their own perfect ending. One winner, selected by Eckstut, Sterry and two other publishing experts, will receive an introduction to an agent or publisher appropriate for the book idea.
Welcome to Pitchapalooza, billed as the “American Idol for books, only kinder and gentler.” Since 2005, Eckstut and Sterry have taken Pitchapalooza to approximately 150 bookstores, writing conferences, book festivals and libraries — from Cape Cod and Chicago to the far-flung states of Hawaii and Alaska. It has drawn standing-room-only crowds and captured attention from The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, NPR and other media outlets.
“Our whole goal is to help people improve. There’s never a sense of humiliation,” said Eckstut, an agent-at-large with Levine Greenberg Literary Agency in New York and the author of nine books.
The event also illustrates the importance of tenacity. “In 2010 at LitQuake in San Francisco a woman pitched an idea for an anthology by American-Muslim women writing about their secret love lives,” Sterry recalls. “You could hear the murmur throughout the room. That pitch is a book waiting to happen, but an agent had dropped the idea.”
The lesson: an initial rejection doesn’t always determine a book’s fate.
“There’s a great expression, ‘Don’t quit five minutes before the marathon ends,'” says Sterry, who’s written 15 books himself. “I called up a publisher I knew, and it took about 10 seconds to sell that idea.”
The couple came up with the idea for Pitchapalooza after co-writing The Essential Guide to Getting Your Book Published and trying to figure out how to creatively promote their own niche book. They’re the founders of The Book Doctors, a company dedicated to helping authors get successfully published.
“We were at a party in San Francisco, and writers in the room heard the rumor there was a literary agent in the house. People started buzzing around Arielle like moths to a flame,” says Sterry with a laugh. “There were some great drunken pitches made that night. Later, we realized we might have hit upon something that could help us help writers and sell our own book.”
When the couple introduced Pitchapalooza at New York’s iconic Strand Book Store, “we thought it would be a terrible bust,” concedes Sterry. “We show up, and there’s a line out the door. We looked at each other and said, ‘What’s going on here?’ If it’s not Michelle Obama or a celebrity, it’s hard to get more than 15 or 20 people at a booksigning.”
Over the years, Sterry says they’ve heard “some amazing and some horrifying pitches.” One writer tried to pitch five book ideas in a minute. Another had an idea for a 30-book series. Another didn’t win at Pitchapalooza, but still ended up with a book contract.
“The writer was an arborist who had an idea that took off on The Elements of Style — only for fruit trees,” Eckstut says. “She had incredible expertise, and I knew just the right publisher.”
Writers don’t have to win or even participate in the Pitchapalooza contest to receive a professional critique of their book ideas. Eckstut and Sterry are offering writers who buy their book, The Essential Guide to Getting Your Book Published, a free 20-minute telephone consultation after the workshop.
The two offer these tips for making a great pitch:
1.When pitching a narrative, memoir or creative nonfiction, make sure you have a hero we can fall in love with.
2. Don’t tell us your book is funny. Make us laugh.
3. Compare your book to a successful one. Show us where the book fits on the shelf in a bookstore.
And finally, “Don’t say you’re the next Erma Bombeck,” Sterry says with a laugh.
Workshop Praise for The Book Doctors
Just a note to tell you that your wonderful seminar on putting your passion into print really paid off for me. I got a contract for a book that will be launched on Labor Day, 2010. It’s called The Custom-Fit Workplace, so you can look for it and know you had a part in it’s genesis. – Nanette Fondas
Thank you for a most informative, entertaining, and altogether fantastic workshop you gave at Stanford yesterday! My husband and I both really enjoyed it and learned a lot from it. I’ll be telling all my writer friends about you. – Cheryl Chow
Thank you so very much for investing your time, energy and passion in the encouragement of others! I am especially inspired by your partnership, which seems like the new model for Great Creative Doings In The World. Thank God for people like you! Also want to say, I have already started reading your book, Essential Guild to Getting Your Book Published, and am thoroughly enjoying it, love “the sound” of your voices and the quality of information shared. – Elizabeth Perlman
I was at your appearance at Mendham Books earlier today and was very inspired by you and your husband. For years I dreamed of being an author and all I ever heard was discouragement, never hope. But you and your husband were able to show me it’s not impossible to get a book published, and, more importantly, where to start. I want to thank you for giving me hope because I pretty much gave up on writing a few months ago due to my lack of guidance. Thank you so much. – Megan Frisch
Thank you for your feedback on my book pitch (Stop Whining, Start Speaking) at the Printers Row Lit Fest last week. It was great to get your feedback — I really enjoyed the experience of pitching. – Marianna (Mare) Swallow
Thank you for sharing your brilliant and passionate words so that aspiring writers like me can feel evermore inspired! – Kara Allen
What an incredible presentation you gave. It was one of those “Aha!” (and even “Gulp”) moments. – Larry Greene
I really enjoyed the workshop today and found everything you and Arielle taught to be productive. I just love your energy and passion in helping writers like us. I would love to organize a workshop/event for you both. Thanks again for the wonderful workshop – Geraldine Solon
Thank you for an awesome class. Not only informative but FUN. I didn’t know I was going to get a comedy show for the price of a class on getting my book published. BONUS!! I love a good bonus. – Sarah Kirby
You guys!! Thank you for that phenomenal all-day session at Stanford a few weeks ago. Can’t thank you enough for providing the most energizing and invigorating forum for getting us all in touch with The Writer Within. –Wendy Abraham
More beneficial than leeches. Stimulating without anesthesia. More useful than bleeding. I have been at work incorporating your ideas from “Putting Your Passion Into Print” and from the seminar at Book Passage. With so much pabulum about writing and publishing in the marketplace, you are catalytic. Just the elixir I needed. Thanks.” –Richard Kennedy
Merci, danke, merci bien, grazie, thank you, many thanks, much obliged,much appreciated, thank you kindly. I am back here in Redding at my computer, newly inspired and enthused, having you and Arielle’s wise, witty and empowering class under my belt.—Susan Terrell
Thanks for the informative and lively seminar at Stanford. You really took us WAY down the learning curve. After I went home, I completely revised my book outline which will lead ultimately, I believe, to a successful pitch.” –Dr. Nanette Fondas
I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed the workshop at Stanford yesterday. I had fun and learned a lot; a good combination. –Stephen Bates
I wanted to thank both you VERY much for the fabulous workshop at Miami Dade College! Your workshop was a very uplifting antidote for me rather than antidepressants.”–Ayn Patrick
The workshop with you and Arielle was something that I really needed to hear. The two of you were real, inspiring, and most of all I could tell that you really got through to people. Putting your Passion into Print was definitely needed, and your dedication to helping others overcome their own obstacles could possibly change many people’s lives, by giving them the courage to continue with their dream. Plus, you guys made it look like it was a blast to put together! —Irena Tervo
I really enjoyed Wednesday’s seminar with you and David. It was great to get two perspectives on the publishing process, and to be entertained as well.—Jessica Hilberman, Sunset Magazine
You and David were incredible (he’s hilarious!)…It was totally a dynamic and beautifully presented talk, which I’m sure was very helpful to everyone there. And your book is really really wonderful; I’ll definitely be recommending it to all my clients.–Donna Zerner, author and book doctor
I enjoyed your workshop this afternoon at Collin College in Plano, Texas. Your method of presentation was engaging and informative, upbeat and entertaining. Before I knew it, an entire hour had elapsed! I’m sure everyone in attendance appreciated your expertise; I can’t wait to read your book. Thank you again; you and your presentation have energized me (and encouraged me) to push forward with our project! –Christy Tinsley-Ilfrey
I thought your presentation was wonderful, very well put together. Utterly informative, fun, sincere, and non-threatening, a real invitation to people to enter a world which may seem very foreign and scary to them, the both of you are such a great team. I have to say I’ve sat through a lot of readings and book promos and it was one of the best. Bravo!” –Rose Marcario
I attended your PUTTING YOUR PASSION INTO PRINT workshop at Franklin and Marshall last year. Great event. Very helpful to would-be writers. I am a seasoned workshop attendee, and the program you and David conducted was really first rate.–Gale Martin, Director of Marketing and Communications, Greater Reading Literary Festival
I can’t thank you and David Henry enough for your book and your class ‘Putting your Passion into Print’ which is helping me immensely. You have literally changed my life. —Ana Jones
Thank you so much for the insightful, practical and encouraging seminar on Saturday. You were great. I came away with a new perspective on what it takes to bring a non-fiction book to print. Much more work than I imagined, but knowing I have many of the tools to get started.”—Avril Hodges
Thanks for the way you put your soul into the Stanford workshop today. You and Arielle have a fluid and rhythmic presentation style that radiates your love for each other, while letting your individual expertise shine through. —Dan Montgomery